Isaac Hutchinson and Danny Barker both had good chances either side of half time

The under-18s are next in action at home to Swansea on Thursday

Brighton & Hove Albion’s under-18s conceded a late goal to lose 2-1 against Newcastle United at their Little Benton Academy base on Saturday afternoon.

Kelland Watts gave the hosts a first-half lead before Max Sanders hit back for the Seagulls after the break, but Elias Sorensen’s late strike swung the game in Newcastle’s favour to secure maximum points.

Albion had the first chance to break the deadlock inside the opening exchanges, but Owen Moore’s effort sailed wide of the target after Sanders fired a free kick straight into the wall.

Danny Cashman and Isaac Hutchinson combined well to create another opportunity for the Seagulls, but the latter’s shot was comfortably saved by Magpies shot-stopper Otto Huuhtanen.

Albion’s best chance of the opening half dropped to Sanders after some patient build-up play, and after the midfielder received the ball just outside the box, his curling effort was saved low down by Huuhtanen.

Despite Albion’s first-half pressure, Newcastle took the lead in the 34th minute when Watts met a corner inside the box and fired past Albion goalkeeper Tom McGill.

Danny Barker went close with a header in the second half, but the defender’s headed attempt from a corner looped over the crossbar as Albion went in search of an equaliser.

The Seagulls found the goal they were looking for in the 68th minute, and it was Sanders who found the bottom corner with a calmly-taken finish after Moore’s cross was half-cleared by Newcastle’s defence.

But with just six minutes remaining on the clock, the Magpies struck the winning goal as Sorensen found the back of the net from Mackenzie Heaney’s pass.

The Seagulls pressed for a second equaliser but ran out of time, leaving the hosts with all three points as Buckman’s side left empty-handed.